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Intern, Technical Undergraduate Year Round - Photonic and Phononic Microsystems, Onsite

AT Sandia National Laboratories
Sandia National Laboratories

Intern, Technical Undergraduate Year Round - Photonic and Phononic Microsystems, Onsite

Albuquerque, NM

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking a highly motivated undergraduate student for a unique project and lab support role which requires technical background and administrative skills, supporting the research staff in developing novel photonic, optoelectronic, optomechanical or phononic device. The role will require strong communications and organizational skills, along with basic engineering knowledge in order to assist in many project and lab related tasks. The experience could prepare one to come a technologist, safety coordinator, lab or project manager, or a technical business support role.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

  • Perform basic photonic and phononic device characterization; document and report results.
  • Inspect samples with microscopy and other laboratory tools.
  • Assist in various basic engineering tasks to support R&D projects.
  • Monitor progress of wafer- or chip-scale fabrication and packaging; coordinate and track mitigation efforts.
  • Assist lab and dept managers in managing laser labs and maintaining lab operation including activities related lab housekeeping, lab safety inspection, safety document updates, and lab computer maintenance.
  • Manage inventory of lab materials and assist in development new lab capabilities, including providing assistance in reviewing technical specifications, selecting products, and ordering (and installing) tools and equipment (optomechanical hardware, testing equipment, etc.)
  • Assist in the preparation of technical reports and documents including generating plots and proofreading papers and patent applications.

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Salary Range:

At Sandia, we value the important work done by our interns and its contribution to National Security. Because of this, our interns earn competitive pay rates. Our pay structure is based on earned credit hours, classification, and degree level. Your pay rate will be determined during the hire process and included in your offer package. You can view the Intern Pay Rate chart here (https://www.sandia.gov/app/uploads/sites/51/2024/01/Student-Rate-Sheet_2024.pdf) .

Qualifications We Require:

You bring the confidence and skills to be eligible for the job by meeting these minimum requirements:

  • Currently attending and enrolled full time in a related accredited undergraduate program
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
  • Ability to work up to 25 hours per week during the academic year, and up to 40 hours per week during the summer
  • Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship

Note: If you have not earned a HS diploma or equivalent, please apply to a high school intern position.

Qualifications We Desire:

  • Currently enrolled in undergraduate-level coursework in electrical engineering, physics or a related engineering/science field
  • Experience operating in a research laboratory environment with basic knowledge of laboratory safety and test equipment operation
  • Excellent organizational skills
  • Superb attention to details
  • Strong writing and communication skills (email, phone call, powerpoint, reports)
  • Ability to work in a team environment and to solve challenging problems (independently and collaboratively).

Posting Duration:

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

About Our Team:

The Photonic and Phononic Microsystems Department develops and matures state of the art photonic and phononic technologies for a variety of national security purposes. Our team of interdisciplinary researchers innovates, develops, and applies novel technologies including silicon photonics, nanophotonics, optomechanics, optical metamaterials, plasmonics, optical detectors, guided wave optics, phononic and thermoelectric technologies, spanning fundamental research to path-finding engineering solutions. In the last 10 years, the Photonic and Phononic Microsystems Department has generated numerous world-firsts, high-impact publications/journal covers and received 70+ patents, multiple R&D 100 awards, and significant DARPA/DOD/DOE funding award.

Visit National Security Photonics Center at www.sandia.gov/mesa/nspc.

About Sandia:

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

  • Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
  • Extraordinary co-workers
  • Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
  • Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
  • Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
  • Generous vacations, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov
These benefits vary by job classification.

Security Clearance:

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE L-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by the DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

EEO:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs:

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

Job ID: 694028

Job Family: 91

Regular/Temporary Position: T

Full/Part-Time Status: P

Client-provided location(s): Albuquerque, NM, USA
Job ID: Sandia-800324A7F5F441A59C3E580E3432DD1C
Employment Type: Intern